Fox investigates Starz takeover

21^st Century Fox reportedly met with top executives from US premium cable channel Starz to discuss a possible takeover.

Numerous reports from the States say Fox met with Starz as a “courtesy” and is not interested in a deal. Starz CEO Chris Albrecht was present at the meeting this week, according to the Los Angeles Times, which broke the news.

Starz, which counts Spartacus, Black Sails and Outlander among its biggest original series to date, spun out of Liberty Media last year, and has been considered ripe for a takeover since then.

The company has reportedly retained investment bank LionTree Advisors as it considers what direction to take next.

Based on its current share value, Starz could cost more than US$3 billion should a deal materialise. Along with sister channel Encore, Starz counts more 56 million subscribers in the US.

It is two months since Fox abandoned its chase to acquire rival Time Warner for around US$80 billion.